Jiri, mini or little Switzerland on earth, this is what most of the people here in Nepal claim. There is no doubt that Jiri is really blessed with the beauty by mother nature.But
“Is Switzerland really like Jiri?”
Jiri is a valley located at an altitude of 1,905 metres (6,250 feet) in the Janakpur Zone of north-eastern Nepal. Jiri is 188 Km far away from Kathmandu and is connected by a road named as Jiri road. The busjourney from Kathmandu to Jiri stops at Lamosunga for a lunchbreak. Bus or vechiles ride takes 6 to 8 hours due to narrow, winding roads but beautiful hills settlements like, Thulopakhar, Dadapakhar, Mude, Kharidhunga, Boch, Makaibari, Charikot, Kiratichhap, Busti, Namdu, Mainapokhari and Hanumante pass before entering into the valley and make one's journey a sweet memory.
In 1952 the Everest expeditions led by John Hunt that put Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary on the summit for the first time in the history of Everest passed through Jiri. So Jiri is also called the "Gateway to Everest". Jiri is the home of an ethnic group called the Jirels and Sunwar. late king Mahendra established his summer camp in Jiri to travel eastern mountain regions in 1963. Similarly, late King Birendra visited this place in 1983 and 1987.
Why Jiri got compared to Switzerland?
Toni Hagen also known as the first foreigner to visit Nepal and also an honorary citizenchip card holder of Nepal.After taking a diploma in engineering and geology from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland. He took a doctorate in the geology and then became a research assistant at the Zurich Geological Institute.Hagen first visited Nepal in 1950 with a first Swiss development assistance mission. In 1952 he was employed by the government of Nepal and also worked for the United Nations.
He travelled 14,000 km criss-crossing the country on foot over 12 years, produced books and charted out Nepal's development pathways.Toni Hagen made a detailed geological map of Nepal, plotted sites for hydropower projects like Kulekhani and the Karnali Bend, proposed a east-west electric train artery, ropeways for mountain transport, and advocated rural eco-tourism. Hagen, was really touched by the scenery of the valley. It reminded him of Zurich, Switzerland and urged his government to invest for the development of Jiri.
As a result in 1951 Swiss team headed by Mr. Schulthes came to Nepal. And on their visit to Jiri they found out a lot of similarities between Swiss alpine highlands and Jiri valley and recommended government to start the developments programs similar to Swiss Alps. In 1959 Swiss government lunched Jiri multi purpose Development Project (JMDP),which established hospital, school, cooperatives, and agricultural development center, managed Forests and conducted various skill development trainings .Swiss president Arnold Kollar (1997) world famous film director Eric valley (2007) also have recognized Jiri as one of the most beautiful place on the earth by visiting it.
“Is Switzerland really like Jiri?”
Jiri is a valley located at an altitude of 1,905 metres (6,250 feet) in the Janakpur Zone of north-eastern Nepal. Jiri is 188 Km far away from Kathmandu and is connected by a road named as Jiri road. The busjourney from Kathmandu to Jiri stops at Lamosunga for a lunchbreak. Bus or vechiles ride takes 6 to 8 hours due to narrow, winding roads but beautiful hills settlements like, Thulopakhar, Dadapakhar, Mude, Kharidhunga, Boch, Makaibari, Charikot, Kiratichhap, Busti, Namdu, Mainapokhari and Hanumante pass before entering into the valley and make one's journey a sweet memory.
In 1952 the Everest expeditions led by John Hunt that put Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary on the summit for the first time in the history of Everest passed through Jiri. So Jiri is also called the "Gateway to Everest". Jiri is the home of an ethnic group called the Jirels and Sunwar. late king Mahendra established his summer camp in Jiri to travel eastern mountain regions in 1963. Similarly, late King Birendra visited this place in 1983 and 1987.
Why Jiri got compared to Switzerland?
Toni Hagen also known as the first foreigner to visit Nepal and also an honorary citizenchip card holder of Nepal.After taking a diploma in engineering and geology from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland. He took a doctorate in the geology and then became a research assistant at the Zurich Geological Institute.Hagen first visited Nepal in 1950 with a first Swiss development assistance mission. In 1952 he was employed by the government of Nepal and also worked for the United Nations.
He travelled 14,000 km criss-crossing the country on foot over 12 years, produced books and charted out Nepal's development pathways.Toni Hagen made a detailed geological map of Nepal, plotted sites for hydropower projects like Kulekhani and the Karnali Bend, proposed a east-west electric train artery, ropeways for mountain transport, and advocated rural eco-tourism. Hagen, was really touched by the scenery of the valley. It reminded him of Zurich, Switzerland and urged his government to invest for the development of Jiri.
As a result in 1951 Swiss team headed by Mr. Schulthes came to Nepal. And on their visit to Jiri they found out a lot of similarities between Swiss alpine highlands and Jiri valley and recommended government to start the developments programs similar to Swiss Alps. In 1959 Swiss government lunched Jiri multi purpose Development Project (JMDP),which established hospital, school, cooperatives, and agricultural development center, managed Forests and conducted various skill development trainings .Swiss president Arnold Kollar (1997) world famous film director Eric valley (2007) also have recognized Jiri as one of the most beautiful place on the earth by visiting it.
Jiri is quite small but really beautiful and green. View of Jiri from top looks very beautiful. There are small houses built in swiss model and one can visit technical institute there.Charlie pye smith in his book ‘‘ Travels in Nepal " called Jiri ‘‘ half caste offspiring of an improverished Nepalese mother and wealthy Swiss father ".The steady flow of trekkers later motivated the government to construct the first airport in the hill areas of Nepal. In 1960, a Royal Nepal Airlines Twin Otter landed at Jiri Airport, carrying a team of mountaineers. Later in 1968, the government established an airport at Lukla.
Jiri is a small town with around 16,000 population having climate and vegetation similar to Swiss Alps.The daily arrival of tourists to this gateway to Everest soon improved the economic conditions of the locals. As a result there are numerous hotels and lodges in Jiri. In addition to it has restaurants where visitors can stay and experience the cultures of Jirels through the home stay in Sikri valley, Kot, Kharayoban and Dhunge. The local Jirel people are friendly and helpful.
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